The Buzz: Clubstore Outlet debacle follow up

Bruce and Cindy Schooley, who bought a Clubhouse Outlet franchise in 2016, say they've been drained of hundreds of thousands of dollars in territory and franchise fees, set-up costs and truckloads of merchandise they couldn't sell.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Buy Photo

Clubstore Outlet had been in Fox Point Plaza in Neenah.(Photo: Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

They closed their Fox Point Plaza store, but remained locked in a 10-year lease.

Now the story has some resolution.

While they ultimately lost more than $600,000 of their savings and retirement money in the total venture, they were not bankrupted by the lease and didn’t lose their home, which had been their greatest fear.

The Schooleys finally completed the store's lease buyout this fall.

“They made an offer to settle and we accepted their offer. It ended up fairly amicably by both sides,” said Fox Point Plaza leasing manager Sean Steuart.

“It was a large sum,” said Cindy Schooley. “But it could have been way worse. At least we’re out. That black cloud is not hanging over our heads.”

Bruce Schooley went on to take a job in a different industry.

The former Clubstore Outlet space has since been leased again, and is currently being turned into an Anytime Fitness facility.

The Schooley’s Clubstore Outlet saga is not completely over, however.

Their original lawsuit against franchisor Tapp Palmer is being refiled in South Carolina.

Clubstore Outlet's corporate website, clubstoreoutlet.com, is no longer operating, and though many other Clubstore Outlets closed, a handful remain open around the country.

Buy Photo

Bruce and Cindy Schooley posed for a photo at their Clubstore Outlet in Neenah before the store closed in March.(Photo: Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)